Non-Crimp Fabric Composites

Non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites are reinforced with mats of straight (non-crimped) fibres, giving them such advantages as strength, ease of handling and low manufacturing costs. Non-crimp fabric composites provides a comprehensive review of the use of NCF composites, their manufacture and applications in engineering.Part one covers the manufacture of non-crimp fabrics, including also topics such as structural stitching and automated defect analysis. Part two goes on to discuss the manufacture of non-crimp fabric composites, with chapters covering such topics as deformability and permeability of NCF. Part three focuses on the properties of NCF composites, with chapters on stiffness and strength, damage progression and fatigue. Finally, part four covers the applications of NCF composites, including chapters on the aerospace and automotive industries as well as wind turbines and helicopter applications. The book concludes with a discussion of cost analysis of NCF composites in engineering applications.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Non-crimp fabric composites is an essential reference for composite manufacturers and structural and mechanical engineers in industries using NCF composites, as well as academics with a research interest in the field.- Provides a comprehensive review of the use of NCF composites, their manufacture and applications in engineering- Reviews the manufacture of non-crimp fabrics, including also topics such as structural stitching and automated defect analysis- Examines the properties of NCF composites considering stiffness and strength, damage progression and fatigue

Contributor contact detailsIntroductionPart I: Manufacturing of non-crimp fabricsChapter 1: Production of non-crimp fabrics for compositesAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 Warp-knitted non-crimp fabric (NCF)1.3 Weft-knitted NCF1.4 Non-crimp woven fabrics1.5 3D woven and non-interlaced NCF1.6 Fixation by adhesion1.7 Comparison of production technologies1.8 Future trends1.9 AcknowledgmentsChapter 2: Standardisation of production technologies for non-crimp fabric compositesAbstract:2.1 Introduction2.2 Classification and standardisation of non-crimp fabric (NCF) production methods2.3 Outstanding patents of existing machines for the production of NCFs2.4 The 'Hexcel patent' - EP 0972102 B12.5 Product patents in the production of NCFs2.6 Immobilisation of adhesive on the surface of semi-finished textile products (DE 102008004112 A1)Chapter 3: Structural stitching of non-crimp fabric preforms for compositesAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Threads for structural stitching technology3.3 Stitching technology and sewing machines3.4 Quality aspects for structural stitching3.5 Applications and future trendsChapter 4: Understanding and modelling the effect of stitching on the geometry of non-crimp fabricsAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 General parameters of the fibrous plies4.3 Geometry of the stitching4.4 Distortions of fibres in the plies4.5 Change of the geometry after shear4.6 A geometrical model of NCF4.7 ConclusionChapter 5: Automated analysis of defects in non-crimp fabrics for compositesAbstract:5.1 Motivation5.2 Quality characteristics of non-crimp fabric (NCF)5.3 Quality analysis of NCF by digital image analysis5.4 Future trendsPart II: Manufacturing of non-crimp fabric compositesChapter 6: Deformability of textile performs in the manufacture of non-crimp fabric compositesAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Shear6.3 Biaxial tension6.4 Compression6.5 Bending6.6 ConclusionChapter 7: Modelling the deformability of biaxial non-crimp fabric compositesAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Behaviour of fabric architecture on the shear and draping behaviour of non-crimp fabrics (NCFs)7.3 Modelling strategies for NCF forming7.4 Energy-based kinematic mapping7.5 Finite element modelling of forming for NCFs7.6 Future trends7.7 Further information and adviceChapter 8: Permeability of non-crimp fabric preformsAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 Experimental permeability results8.3 Geometric effects8.4 Deformation and permeability8.5 Conclusions8.6 Acknowledgements8.8 Appendix: nomenclatureChapter 9: Understanding variability in the permeability of non-crimp fabric composite reinforcementsAbstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Material characterisation9.3 Permeability measurement9.4 Modelling and simulation9.5 Future trendsChapter 10: Modelling of the permeability of non-crimp fabrics for compositesAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Numerical simulation10.3 Experimental validation10.4 Parametric study10.5 Influence of shear10.6 Conclusion10.7 AcknowledgementsPart III: Properties of non-crimp fabric compositesChapter 11: Mechanical properties of non-crimp fabric (NCF) based composites: stiffness and strengthAbstract:11.1 Introduction11.2 Materials and composite production11.3 Test procedures11.4 Mechanical properties of non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites11.5 Mechanical properties of composites based on sheared MMCF11.6 Damage development in B2 (0°/90°) laminates11.8 Damage initiation in non-sheared and sheared materials11.9 ConclusionsChapter 12: Damage progression in non-crimp fabric compositesAbstract:12.1 Introduction12.2 Damage progression in non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites due to in-plane loading12.3 Damage progression in impacted NCF composites12.4 ConclusionsChapter 13: Fatigue in non-crimp fabric compositesAbstract:13.1 Introduction13.2 Fatigue in non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites13.3 Post-fatigue residual properties13.4 Conclusions and open questions13.